third block

I felt like I learnt a lot from the second block of lessons. I wasn't happy with the class, so it made me work even harder. This is to say that I already worked really hard, but now I realized that I want to prepare all my own material and that I need to be comfortable with the lesson plan and have interesting activities.

I had a bit more time to plan for the third block of lessons since there was one week between block two and three. This was great. Fact is, that I was teaching another course at the same time with 6 teaching hours a week so I could focus a bit on those. The teaching methods for the third block was further developed in between preparations for the other classes and in impulses. I stayed with the core plan to have my students to do research on computer in pairs and find answers to share in our Optima blog.

The class was a mix o lecture and research. Unfortunately we only had 90 minutes, I had previously planned it for a 3 hour block of lessons. But lessons never go exactly as planned. The students were working very well and felt it was nice to have time to find out things for themselves. I asked for feedback in the end, and most students had liked the experience. They would, however, have liked to have more time.

learning goals - questionnaire

I made a learning goal questionnaire that the students are to fill in in the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the course. I asked them to write down three learning goals (what they want to learn from the course). I also asked them how the liked the first lesson/teaching methods and how well they would like to know Asian business culture.

Most students filled in the form that I made in google drive. Most goals were within the course syllabus, some were outside. I also got comments on the first lesson, many had liked it and liked getting to know each other better. By doing the learning goal questionnaire, I wanted the students to take more responsibility in their own learning. Let's see how it works! I really liked reading the results and I hope the students see a window to learn more about their own country.

Teacher practice - second block

Preparing for lessons is very time consuming but I thought that the preparations for the second block was lighter. I was wrong. The students had a questionnaire that they should fill in and I thought that we could just lightly go through it. I thought it is information that we do not need to go through line by line. But when the lesson started, I noticed that the students wanted to go through the information in detail and I had not prepared for that kind of work. I did not have the answers ready myself. If I would have been more experienced, I would have just gone through the questionnaire and trusted the students information. But I was doubtful.

Instead, I had prepared for presenting information on "average wage" that I had used 5 hours to find!!! When presenting it, it was poorly visualized and I realized that I did not ask for the information that the students had found out first. The lessons did this time not go so quickly and I learnt many new lessons.
1. I should only give tasks to the students that I think are meaningful to do and that I will support
2. If we go through some task in class, we should do it in depth
3. I should give time to the students to answer - I should not fill in the silent moments
4. It is important to have a desk at the school with computer & printer so I don't have to loose time with technicalities
5. Have lesson plans ready the night before - that will guarantee better success (and better sleep)

teacher training - first block

My teacher practice was quite hectic. At the same time as I started my teacher practice, I also started another job. It was rather challenging, but I managed. The unlucky bit was that I had no time for reflecting in my blog, but instead I made detailed teaching plans and made notes along the way.

I was very well prepared for my first lecture. I presented the course requirement for the group and informed them about what the students need to do in order to pass. The responsible teacher was not present during the first week of classes, but my guiding teacher was present. I was a bit nervous, but since I had made a detailed plan, it made me more comfortable.

Since teaching is new to me, I had no clear idea of what to expect from the first lesson. I emphasized on getting to know the students in the class and to let the students get to know each other. We made a round of presentation, where I asked all students what they are interested in. We had much dialogue, with some actual games and with the students having to pick a country by being quick = running.

I think it was the most fun lesson (3hrs) and the best prepared lesson. I showed maps, had technical difficulties, ask my students to put themselves on the world map, asked them to run to pick a country to follow.. The last task we did was a group assignment where students were to figure out and discuss in their groups how free/democratic a country is and put Asian countries into categories (free, semi-free, not free country). This was a bit difficult as a start when we all have different understanding of what democracy is and the groups were uneven. I learnt more about leading group assignments and how important it is to visualize and explain clearly.

I also realized that time flies. The plan worked quite well, but I made many changes during the class. I was eager, happy and realized it is hard work to be a teacher.